PESHAWAR: Speakers at a three-day book fair advised students to revive reading habit to fully understand geo-political situations in its true perspective.

They said that book was the only means through which people could come out of the pitched darkness of ignorance and could proceed on the track of development and enlightenment.

The concluding ceremony of the book fair, arranged by Islami Jamiat Talba (IJT), was held here on Thursday at Puta Hall, University of Peshawar. A large number of students, faculty members, dignitaries and book lovers thronged the event.

The organisers gifted out copies of bestsellers and pamphlets to dignitaries and bibliophiles alongside refreshments while book sellers showed great satisfaction over the sale during the three-day third international book fair.

Around 80 bookstalls were set up by printers, publishers and local publication houses displaying new titles on variety of topics including anthology, science fiction, social sciences, medical sciences IT, philosophy, literature, religion and Sufism.

Experts believed that interest of young graduates in reading books and treatises showed vertical trend with the passing of time and student organisations still required to expedite their efforts to motivate youth on the campuses to attract school and college going students to such mega events.

Campus Commandant Noor Jamal and Prof Arshad paid a detailed visit to the book fair and took stock of the situation. They took a round of all the bookstalls and communicated with the visitors.

Books on Pashto, Urdu and Hindko, Persian, Arabic and English literature were also displayed. A bookstall showcasing newly-published theses on climate, environment and political satire attracted attention of young visitors. Main feature of the event was a 50 per cent discount on books being taught at different universities.

Prof Ibrahim, provincial vice chief of Jamaat-i-Islami in his address pointed out that in the contemporary world, darkness of ignorance could only be defeated throughthelight ofbooks.

He said that no nation on earth could come out of the pitched darkness except treasure of books. Books were highway to ultimate success, he added.

IJT chief Hassan Bilal Hashmim, Saud Khan Sahil, Taqweem, Aftab and several JI activists also spoke at the event.